Vinnie DiMartino and Cody Connelly, founders of V-Force Customs, made their 1st public appearance in Cincinnati since leaving the popular television series “American Chopper” with OCC. Hey, I am flattered: they wanted a picture with me and told me that they read my Blog. When they appear at Daytona Bike week February 29, 2008. DiMartino […]
Archive for the 'Customs' Category
First Meeting With Vinnie & Cody
Published by February 4th, 2008 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.Cincinnati V-Twin Expo Best Tattoo And Haircut.
Published by February 3rd, 2008 in Customs and Editorial.On Saturday evening, after the show closed for the day, Easyriders Magazine gave away his 2008 V-Twin Expo Awards. Me, I have to give 2 non-official awards. One to Randy Connell from "Four Rivers Harley-Davidson", Kentucky who found me in the crowd to show me his new tattoo, my company logo. Thank you so much […]
Today at the Cincinnati Show I stopped by the Kiwi Indian MotorCycle Company display and stumbled on the bike called Rocket that Mike built for the Sturgis Michael Lichter’s exhibition called “One World”. The bike is pretty cool, but noticeable to me was the new leaf spring forks with custom Heim joints on the front […]
Mike Corbin Unveils New Bagger Setups
Published by February 2nd, 2008 in Builders, Chassis, Customs and Editorial.The V-Twin Expo just got started. And when you go through the huge entrance doors you immediately bump into the huge and always gorgeous display of Corbin Inc. And there, Mike Corbin is showing off his new proprietary bagger setups for several brands and bike models. For example one for the Rolling Thunder chassis, both […]
New Fork Models From MeanStreet
Published by February 2nd, 2008 in Customs, Editorial and Suspension.Kicking off the week-end of new product announcements for the V-Twin Industry, MeanStreet unveils 3 new hot front ends. A retro styled "Hot Rodder", a futuristic designed "Blade Rider" and a stylish "Linea". They all feature a new sleek smooth triplle clamp, stainless steel steering stem with innovative adjustable nut system, hard chrome steel alloy […]
On My Way To The Cincinnati V-Twin Expo
Published by January 31st, 2008 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.I am catching a red-eye flight to Concinnati. Or maybe my eyes are already red of too much blogging. This year, the V-Twin Expo will welcome about 500 exhibitors and thousands of v-twin dealers at the Duke Energy Center. The V-Twin Expo remains the one show to attend for both exhibitors and V-twin dealers. But […]
Cyril Huze Builds A Vintage Motorcycle.
Published by January 31st, 2008 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.This vintage looking bike was built at the request of I.A.F.F. (International Association Of Fire Fighters) with objective to be auctioned. The proceeds will go to the "Burn Foundation". The bike incorporates a lot of vintage 50’s and 60’s fire fighter apparatus that we restored and adapted to fit this project. Detailed studio pictures on […]
All Woman Bike Build In Chicago February 8/10
Published by January 29th, 2008 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.More women are riding (+ 36% in 5 years). More women are building bikes. More events feature women riding and building bikes. To help promote motorcycle safety and rider education among women riders, Allstate will sponsor Gina Woods’ XX Chrome ‘All Woman Bike Build’ at the 27th Annual Cycle World International Motorcycle Show, Feb. 8/10. […]
I didn’t want you to miss this one. For now, only a concept vehicle, but automotive spies (the ones with very long camera tele-objectives) think it’s the basis for the new Hummer H4. Full time 4WD, 35 inch tires, an E85 Flex Fuel 3.6 L SIDI V6, removable doors, roof and fender flare, to make […]
Jesse James To Debut Air Stream Side Car “At Legend Of The Motorcycle”
Published by January 28th, 2008 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.Custom bike builder Jesse James has announced that his newest creation, a glistening aluminum-clad motorcycle and sidecar combo for client Airstream will make its first public debut at the Legend of the Motorcycle Concours on May 3rd. James and his welders machined, riveted and hammered 18-gauge steel and razor-thin aluminum into a space-age looking vehicle, […]
OCC Limited Edition Production Bike Line
Published by January 28th, 2008 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.This weekend, during the 2008 Cincinnati V-Twin Expo, OCC will unveil (at booth 2460) the 4 models of their new limited edition production line (they are named Original, Splitback, Web and Greenie). I understand that OCC just added 2 extra models. And of course, OCC is looking for Motorcycle Dealers […]
S&S Enters The Classic And Vintage Engines Market
Published by January 28th, 2008 in Customs, Editorial and Engines.In July, I was the first one to post and inform the industry on the acquisition of Flathead Power by S&S Cycle. Flathead Power was a company that serviced classic/vintage engine lines and components dating back to 1936, and was a perfect compliment for the S&S product line and brand. Since the fall of last […]
Do We Need One More Motorcycle Exhaust Manufacturer?
Published by January 27th, 2008 in Customs, Editorial and Exhaust.It seems that everything has been done in terms of motorcycle exhaust design. But if a lot of manufacturers seem satisfied in reproducing the shapes of other pipe benders, a few continue to explore new ways to get rid of your engine exhaust fumes. Like this company called Miami Exhausts offering a few unseen surprising […]
American Custom Exhaust For Victory Riders
Published by January 25th, 2008 in Customs, Editorial and Exhaust.Quite a few of my readers own a Victory. You know, the only true American V-Twin Brand. But Victory owners don’t have yet as much choice to customize their ride as Harley riders. To help them, here an American address where they can choose among a wide choice of custom exhausts. Hacker Pipes will even […]
Spy Shots Of 2 New Viper Motorcycles
Published by January 24th, 2008 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.They are still in the garage being prepped for their 1st appearance. Here a sneak preview of what Viper Motorcycles will unveil in 10 days at the V-Twin Expo in Cincinnati. Both bikes have the same 152" billet engines (wow) but with short stroke to deliver lower vibrations. Later this year, Viper will offer their […]
Pro Builder Custom Saddlebags Kit
Published by January 22nd, 2008 in Chassis, Customs and Editorial.Professional builders use this kit to use it as is or as an easy base to custom design your saddlebags (a lot has to be invented). It includes everything you need to do it yourself. It includes the 2 unpainted bags, all powder coated brackets and all necessary hardware. It’s a very good deal at $399.95 (try […]
Motorcycle parts. What and who will be the award winners in 2008. Watch my reports on these 2 trade shows: the. V-Twin Expo February 2/4, in Cincinnati, and Dealers Expo February 15/18 in Indianapolis. Just as primaries and caucuses define this year’s political landscape, these two motorcycle trade shows compete to introduce trends that will […]
Battistinis New Foot Shifter Components
Published by January 17th, 2008 in Controls, Customs and Editorial.When you have a best seller design, there is no reason not to continue declining the theme all over the bike. Rikki Battistini does it again by releasing his new “hole design” foot shifter components: separate heel and toe shift levers for floorboard-equipped bikes, shift lever pegs, shift rods and shift linkage. You can fit […]
Learn How To Work On an S&S X-Wedge Engine
Published by January 15th, 2008 in Customs, Editorial and Engines.Since the release of the X-Wedge engine during the fall of 2007, demand for training has been high, and the company offered Dealers a four-day class. In summer, a consumer technical training program will also be available. Two days of the class is spent working with the engine from a mechanical standpoint, learning the belt-drive […]
Motorcycling Memories From Stars Of screen, Sports, Music
Published by January 15th, 2008 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.The Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, the country’s premier showcase of motorcycling heritage and history, will spotlight over a hundred of the world’s most recognizable enthusiasts in its new exhibit, "MotoStars: Celebrities + Motorcycles." Scheduled to open in late March 2008, the 8,000-square-foot exhibit will feature many priceless machines, exclusive memorabilia and tales from celebrities’ […]
Anita Kohler Builds A Chopper. Tiki Pretty.
Published by January 14th, 2008 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Frames.Anita Kohler and Peter Penz are life and business partners at Penz Custombikes in Austria. They specialize in fancy & rock solid frames that I have used on my customs and also sold with success in the United States. One year ago they sent me the 1st pictures of their Tiki […]
Dale Needleman Launches A New And Improved 360 Brake
Published by January 13th, 2008 in Brakes, Customs, Editorial and Wheels.You remember that when it was launched the revolutionary 360 Brake was unanimously acclaimed by the motorcycle industry and got the original inventor, the Baldwin Wilson Development Corporation, quite a few professional awards. Then, some controversy started when the company had difficulties to assume its success by filling orders on time, then when it was […]
V-Force Customs To Unveil First Custom Bike During Daytona Bike Week
Published by January 12th, 2008 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.Vinnie DiMartino and Cody Connelly, founders of V-Force Customs, will introduce their first custom bike since leaving the popular television series “American Chopper” when they appear at Daytona bike week February 29, 2008. DiMartino and Connelly will begin a year-long 12-rally tour when they join Rob Hassay’s ProTour on February 2nd in Cincinnati, Ohio at […]
Bonneville World’s Fastest Motorcycles
Published by January 11th, 2008 in Books, Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.Based in Germany, chief editor for High Performance, contributor of many US magazines, book author, crossing the Atlantic many times a year to document all 2-wheel events, Horst Roesler is a very hardworking famous photographer “motographer” that I count among my good friends of the industry (he is also the only one to be able […]
Hulster 8-Valve Voted Bike Of The Year By MCM Magazine
Published by January 11th, 2008 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.I In addition to bringing news to its readers and featuring new motorcycle parts, the mission of a magazine is to support custom builders. Without them, no motorcycle magazine is viable. So, MCM Scandinavia, the leading custom bike magazine since 23 years in this part of the world has decided […]
From a custom motorcycle wheels manufacturer called Sinuous Inc., a new wheel with no sinuous lines at all. It’s called Summer and is a new interpretation of the spoke wheel with a pattern reminiscent of sunrays (huh). It is available, like their other designs, in 18", 21" and 23" diameter. For the rear they go up […]
